Investigation of urinary incontinence among outpatients of the gynecological department / 中华全科医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective We investigated urinary incontinence (UI) among patients of the Gynecological Department of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University,to observe characteristics of women with UI in our province,and to analyze preliminary factors affecting their treatment.Methods We evaluated 15 300 patients treated for UI from August 2009 to April 2011,using site information and questionnaires.We also compared them to 66 825 other gynecology outpatients at our hospital over the same period.Results We found that the incidence of UI tended to increase with age,and was associated with body mass index,parturition,and surgery history.But 54.63％ (8358/15 300) of them refused surgical treatment.Of these 8358 patients,29.78％ (2489/8358) because of economic factors,25.83％ (2159/8358) because of mental stress,and 24.30％ (2031/8358) because of lack of faith in the efficacy of surgical treatment,20.09％ (1679/8358) did so because of knowing little of the disease.Conclusions UI is inconvenient to patients,and seriously affects their physical and mental health. Many patients refuse surgical treatment.Medical staff should attempt to educate patients better with regard to treatment,and to offer them help to improve the quality of their lives.